Six people were killed and more than thirty others were hurt in a collision involving roughly 100 automobiles on a highway in Illinois on Monday.
According to the Illinois State Police, the collisions took place within a 2-mile radius.
"A crash occurred on Interstate 55 northbound near Milepost 76 at 10:55 in the morning. In addition, there were multiple collisions on southbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76, according to a news release from the police department.
According to the state police, the incident involved "approximately 30 commercial motor vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars." Two truck-tractor semi-trailers are also claimed to have caught fire as a result of the event.
While the incident is still being investigated, the cause is said to be "excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, resulting in zero visibility."
"You couldn't see anything. People tried to slow down, but others did not, and I was ploughed into. According to the Associated Press, "there were just so many cars and semi-trucks with so much momentum behind them," said Evan Anderson, 25, who was on the interstate during Monday's event.
More than 30 persons, ranging in age from 2 to 80, were sent to a hospital with minor to life-threatening injuries as a result of the incidents.
"Reports indicate six fatalities, all of which occurred in the northbound lanes," the Illinois State Police said in a news release. "We do not have any additional information on those individuals at this time."
The National Weather Service urges drivers to "keep both hands on the wheel and slow down" if they are caught in a windstorm while driving.
"If the winds are strong enough to make driving unsafe, pull over to the side of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall on your vehicle." "Remain in your car and turn on your hazard lights until the wind dies down," the organisation recommends.
